I agree, I think the 986 strikes a great balance between rawness and refinement. On a similer level I have had a 916 ducati since 1995 and bought a new 1998s a couple years ago and never bonded with it even though it is much better on paper, I recently sold the much faster 1198s and doubt I will ever sell the 916.
The problem with refinement is that is can't but reduce feel and from feel comes connection and from connection comes confidence and from confidence comes enjoyment (at least that has been my experience)